General

Baguio City: The Social Security System (SSS) has once again urged fresh graduates, whether from senior high school or college, to apply for SSS membership to become eligible for a range of benefits. “If they have time, they can already register, especially if they intend to work in a private company or establishment because it is a requirement,” said Christian Andrew Rillorta, information officer of the SSS North Luzon 1 office, in a media interview. According to Philippines News Agency, the application process is conducted online, eliminating the need to visit an SSS office unless assistance is required for registration

Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has appointed Filipino De La Salle Brother and former Education Secretary Armin Luistro as among the 19 new members of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. A report on the Catholic Bishop’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) news website on Wednesday said Luistro’s appointment was announced on Tuesday. According to Philippines News Agency, the dicastery is tasked with promoting, encouraging, and regulating the practice of evangelical counsels, the CBCP report said, citing the apostolic constitution on the Roman Curia. The dicastery is also charged with approving cases in which

Manila: The Department of Finance (DOF) announced a forthcoming customs cooperative arrangement between the Philippines and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. This initiative aims to bolster trade facilitation while safeguarding consumers from the threats posed by smuggled and illicit goods. According to Philippines News Agency, the draft bilateral arrangement has emerged from comprehensive discussions between the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and its Hong Kong counterparts. These discussions were driven by increasing global concerns over supply chain security and the advancing complexity of cross-border smuggling activities. The draft arrangement is designed exclusively for mutual administrative assistance between the Customs Administrations of

Baguio: The city government here expects the implementation of the “Barangay Pagbasa” ordinance to sustain and further boost Baguio’s high literacy rate. “This is one of the initiatives we have undertaken to ensure that students who need help will be assisted and none of them will be left behind,” councilor Vladimir Cayabas, author of the ordinance that was passed on final reading and signed by Mayor Benjamin Magalong on June 17, said. The ordinance is up for posting and publication, which will determine its date of effectivity. According to Philippines News Agency, the program was first started by the Department

Iloilo City: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 6 (Western Visayas) convened stakeholders for a two-day conference on Healthcare Information Management System (HIMS), as the region continues to establish itself as a leading destination for healthcare technology services. According to Philippines News Agency, DTI-6 Director Rachel Nufable highlighted that the HIMS industry offers significant employment opportunities and can enhance local healthcare systems while fostering economic growth in the region. Nufable emphasized the potential for the industry to generate numerous high-value jobs and attract international companies to Western Visayas, transforming it into a hub for health and life sciences and